City Council Briefings

CITY COUNCIL MEETING BRIEFING FEBRUARY 3, 2025 City Council briefings provide a quick summary of City Council actions taken at a meeting. For more information about the meeting, please contact a City Council member or City Administration, review the meeting minutes, and/or news media reports. The agenda and more information for the meeting are available at www.vermillion.us. FEBRUARY 3, 2025 CITY COUNCIL MEETING SUMMARY: An agreement with Mammoth Built to construct six pickleball and two tennis courts at Cotton Park just north of the parking lot and restroom building was approved. The $1.1 million project is made possible with a United States Tennis Association grant, a Dakota Hospital Foundation grant, a contribution from a recent fundraising event led by Midwest Ready Mix, an investment from the Vermillion Area Chamber and Development Company, and second penny funds. The project will start later this year and has a 120-day construction timeline. The second reading of Ordinance 1528 to rezone Lots 1 and 2, Block 1 of the Jack Powell Addition from R-3 Residential to GB General Business was approved. The ordinance rezones the two lots are at the southwest corner of the intersection of Highway 50 and Highway 19. The lots were planned from the initial purchase and discussion of uses of the property to be developed as commercial lots as they serve as an entry point to the community. A Resolution amending electric vehicle charging rates for the Princeton Street location was approved. The rate will be stepped up over a couple of months to arrive at a rate of $4.75 per .25 hour as of July 1, 2025. Resolutions approving the purchase of a backhoe for the Water Department from Butler CAT of Sioux Falls for a net amount of $108,741 with the trade-in of the existing bobcat and the purchase of a motor grader for the Street Department from Butler CAT of Sioux Falls for $425,847 were approved. Resolutions related to obtaining $750,000 of bank financing for a portion of the infrastructure development costs for Tax Increment Financing district #9 (Jack Powell Addition) were approved. The first resolution begins the process for the City to issue TIF revenue bonds in an amount not to exceed $750,000. The second resolution allows the City to incur costs to be paid from the funding to be obtained. The balance of the infrastructure work is being funded by an internal loan, second penny funds, and grants/loans from the South Dakota Housing Development Authority. Three local banks anticipate providing the funding once the terms are finalized. Prairie Environmental Consulting of Sioux Falls submitted the lowest of the six bids received and opened to abate asbestos from the former Jolley School building at 224 S. University Street. The low bid was $49,500. Once contract details are finalized, the work can begin. Some of the window glazing has asbestos as well as pipe insulation. City Manager’s Report: Upcoming meetings at City Hall before the next City Council meeting on February 18, 2025:  Human Relations Commission – Thursday, February 6, 2025 in Mamura Conference room at 5:30pm  Historic Preservation Commission - Wednesday, February 12, 2025 in Powell Conference Room at 9:00 am City Offices are closed on Monday, February 17, 2025 for Presidents Day. The next City Council meetings are on Tuesday, February 18, 2025. The evening meeting will begin with a joint meeting with the Clay County Commission at 6:00 pm. The meeting is to consider the second reading of an ordinance to rezone property approximately ¼ mile north City limits on the west side of Highway 19. Once the joint meeting with the Clay County Commission is completed, the regular City Council meeting will begin. A half block of Kidder Street immediately west of Court Street will be temporarily closed on Saturday, February 15, 2025 from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm for the South Dakota Special Olympics Polar Plunge. Raffle notification: Vermillion After Prom is selling up to 500 raffle tickets at $1 each, 3 for $10, or 7 for $20. The prize is 4 PRCA ProRodeo Tickets and a parking pass for the event at the Sioux City events center on either February 14 or 15, 2025. The total value is approximately $200. The drawing will be on February 11, 2025. Proceeds will help support the Vermillion After prom and post prom events, activities, prizes, and food. Jon Cole, Mayor Julia Hellwege Mike Murra Rich Holland Katherine Price Jay Thaler Gary Cheeseman Al Leber Lindsey Jennewein City Administration can be reached at 605-677-7050 or info@cityofvermillion.com